L.A. Mayor Hopes to Cut City's Health Care Costs
Posted on: Thursday, 26 January 2006, 18:00 CST
By Rick Orlov LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
Health care costs for Los Angeles workers soared $20 million last year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Wednesday as he called for a review of all health plans and renewed efforts to control prescription-drug costs and improve employees' health.
The spiraling costs mirror a nationwide trend and come as the mayor prepares next year's city budget.
"City personnel health benefit costs increased $20 million in 2005, continuing a trend of the past several years," Villaraigosa said in a letter to city Personnel Director Margaret Whelan asking for cost-cutting options.
The city provides health benefits for about 40,000 workers. Officials said health care costs rose 7.2 percent last year while city revenues increased 9 percent.
The letter was released by Villaraigosa's office while he was at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. In it, Villaraigosa said he wants information on efforts to reduce costs, including better management of the city's health plans, cost controls of prescription drugs and hospital services, and developing programs for workers to reduce obesity and stop smoking.
Source: Daily Breeze
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